In this age of modernity, we don’t expect you to be familiar with awl let alone know how to use a sewing awl. Although, at the present time of technology an awl has little importance yet having knowledge of it won’t be a waste for you. Because there are still some sewing tasks where a needle may fail but an awl will never.
So, what’s a sewing awl? A sewing awl is a monster needle that you can use for sewing things that are tough-to-pierce like travel bag.
Hope, this is enough for the introductory part. Now, let’s switch to the details of an awl and its using techniques.
How to use a sewing awl?
For your easy and better understanding of an awl and its using tactics, we have divided the entire writing into 3-parts. Parts of an awl, threading the awl and sewing with it will be the first, second and third part respectively. Let’s begin!
Parts of an awl
Bobbin: Just like a real sewing machine, an awl does also feature a bobbin. It’s rough and tough enough to be wound with heavy thread.
Tension post: It is the part that releases pressure on thread when you are stitching with it.
Needle: The needle features a groove with which you can insert the thread through the needle eye.
Threaded post: It is there in the awl to keep holding the needle with a chuck lock.
Handle: There is a wood made handle with the awl. It includes a hole and an end cap. The hole is for passing the thread through the awl. On the other hand, the end cap is for the insertion and removal of bobbin.
Threading the awl
Here follow the threading instructions step by step:
- Remove the end cap to pull out the bobbin. Cannot understand how to uncap the awl? Go through the manual.
- You will have the bobbin wound with thread. Unwind thread as much you will be needing to accomplish the task. Remember that unwinding of 3” extra thread is always safe.
- Wind the thread around the tack for one time. What’s tack? Just look between the slot and hole of the handle. There, you will find something like a standing nail. That’s it. A single winding will be enough for creating sufficient tension when you’re sewing.
- Take a needle after your mind and keep pushing it through the threaded post. Stop pushing as soon as you feel like it’s not going inside any more.
- Now, pass the thread end via the needle hole. Finally, replace the chuck lock and screw it down to secure.
Sewing
An awl sewing can be of two types: with pre-drilled hole and without pre-drilled hole. Let’s start with ‘with pre-drilled hole techniques’.
Pre-drilled hole sewing
- Push the awl needle via the fabric front and take it to the back.
- Pull back the needle a bit for forming a loop.
- Have a tight grip of the loop. Pull the entire thread through the project’s back
- Hold the thread from front and back and drag the needle all the way back through to the fore part. Keep pulling as long as you find that half of the thread is to the front side and the other half to the back.
- Pass the needle via the next hole. Remember that you will be working from fore part to the back.
- Drag back on the needle. This will create a little loop to the needle’s side.
- Pass thread’s free end via the created loop.
- Take on the free end against the back of your fabric.
- Hold the back thread taut as you pull the front taut This will ultimately create a knot that will remain buried between the back and front layers. Don’t drag the knot through to the fore part. Keep in mind that the thread must be tight but it mustn’t bunch the fabric with huge tightness.
- Go on with this manner around the project.
- When you’re almost done and only one hole is left, you must follow a special technique. At first, insert the needle via from fore part to the back of the final hole. Drag the needle a bit back, a loop is created, isn’t it?
- Don’t pass the thread’s free end via the loop like before. Instead, have a tight grip of the loop using forefinger and thumb. Drag out about 2”/3” of the thread’s length to the back.
- Snip the pulled thread to free it from the awl. You will have two thread tails.
- Tie the tails using a square knot. Snip the excess thread end.
Non pre-drilled hole sewing
The sewing process of pre-drilled hole and non pre-drilled hole is same. For non pre-drilled hole sewing, you are to mark the hole positions at first. Go for any spacing relevant to your project.
Tips
- Try your utmost to sew through pre-drilled holes. This saves your time and strength.
- Use rough and tough finger guards to avoid unexpected injury on your hands. This may be highly painful.
- If you are injured with the needle top, consult a doctor making sure that the needle doesn’t have rust.
- For creating a handy loop, pull up not more than half-inch of thread
- Don’t tighten the thread so tightly that it bunch the leather or fabric
- Wind the thread around the tack tightly. Otherwise, there will be no or less tension on the thread.
- Removing system of the end cap may vary from awl to awl. So, scan the manual before making the first attempt to remove it.
Final words
You cannot guarantee that you will never be in need of a sewing awl for any task of your project. Hence, it’s wise to be familiar with how to use a sewing awl. Remember that without having a sound knowledge of every type of sewing tool, you can never establish yourself as a successful fashionista.